Marine Lance Cpl. Patrick McNamara, 20, of Bridgewater, leaves for Afghanistan at the end of March. His twin brother, Billy, heads for Parris Island boot camp March 11. Their friends and family paid tribute to the sons of Randolph Police Sgt. William McNamara and Paula McNamara Saturday at the Randolph Elks Club.

Police Sgt. William McNamara and Paula McNamara are as proud as parents can be of their sons. They’re also frightened.

Twenty-year-old twins Patrick and Billy McNamara are dedicating their lives to service to their country and future careers in law enforcement.

“They’re just great kids and I’m very proud of them” is how both parents, who are divorced, express it.

“Very frightened,” Paula McNamara of Bridgewater said Saturday, as she beamed with pride and then held back tears moments later.

The entire McNamara family, including the twins’ sister, Erin, 23, was at the Randolph Elks Club, where they held a gathering to say goodbye and wish the twins well as they embark on new missions.

Today, Lance Cpl. Patrick McNamara is back at Twelve Palms Marine Base in California. At the end of the month, he’ll leave for Afghanistan.

Next Monday, Billy McNamara will be sworn in as a Marine in Boston and will head to Parris Island, S.C., for boot camp.

More than 100 people turned out for the party, including childhood friends, fellow police and firefighters. Patrick McNamara’s best friend, Anthony Hardy, who is in boot camp at Parris Island, was by his side.

“It was quite an emotional night,” said Randolph police Lt. Chris Thistle, who has worked with William McNamara for 30 years.

“You’re both proud of them and nervous about what they are getting into,” Thistle said, “but they’re on their toes and they’re going to succeed. And it’s cool to see one following the other one.”

Patrick McNamara will be a machine gunner in Afghanistan and said he hopes to return to become a Randolph police officer like his father. Billy McNamara, who waited a year to join the Marines and be assigned to boot camp, has not decided on his career but is considering police work or firefighting.

Both of their grandfathers also served their country – Paul Buttkis in World War II and William McNamara in Korea.

The athletic twins have wanted to join the civil service since they were children.

After graduation from Bridgewater-Raynham High School in 2011, Patrick enlisted in the Marines in December 2011.

As his brother went off to boot camp, Billy considered the same path.

Both were hockey players in high school and on the Taunton Bruins.

“I’m blessed that Patrick is leaving for Afghanistan at the end of the war and not the beginning,” Paula McNamara said, wiping a tear. “A lot of families have already sacrificed and dealt with a lot worse than what I have to. I just say my prayers that a lot of boys come home very safe.”

William McNamara expressed the same bittersweet feelings but said pride dominated.

Page 2 of 2 - “I have reservations about his (Patrick) going overseas, but he wants to do it, he says that is why he enlisted, and I support him 100 percent,” he said. “They both have great goals for when they get out of the service.”

In brief interviews, the twins said they are eager to get on with their careers and expect to do well.

“I feel we’ll get used to it after a little while of being there,” Patrick McNamara said about his upcoming deployment.

“It’s just nice people can come together today and wish them well and say a few prayers for them for safety,” Paula McNamara said.